Do you… do you even like me? Lenore asked.

Enough to sire an heir, Finnal said. Enough to enjoy you, obviously. But there will be rules to our marriage. Let us be clear that your role is to provide a connection to royal blood, and that is it. You will provide me with heirs, and your presence will make me royal enough that people will listen. Beyond that, I will seek my enjoyment… elsewhere, and you will remember your place. You will be spending most of your time in our new estates, away from the world. You will not disobey me on any matter, or contradict my word. Do you understand?

And what happens if I refuse? Lenore asked.

Finnal gave her a baleful look. Your brother will give you to me in marriage regardless. Once I am your husband, I will be free to do with you as I wish. It would not be wise to anger me.

Lenore felt a knot of fear building inside her. She had thought that she had suffered the worst the world had to offer. Now, it seemed that Finnal was worse still. He turned on his heel as if it didnt matter what impact hed just had on her, what damage hed done, then left without another word.

***

Lenore wasnt sure how much longer she lay there. She didnt want to look at anyone, didnt want to do anything, didnt want to rise. She ignored food when one of the servants offered it, lay dry-eyed, wishing that she could find even tears in all this.

She was still lying there when the door opened, and a figure she had never thought to see walked in.

Orianne? she said.

Her former maidservant stood there, tall and elegant, her dark hair tied back. Her gown was simple now by noble standards, pale linen and lace rather than silk and velvet. She didnt pause, but rushed over to Lenores side, hugging her tightly.

Lenore wept then, as she hadnt been able to before. She wept all the tears that had been held back, for her brother, her father, her maids, herself. Orianne held onto her quietly, just there for her, until it seemed she had wept so much that she could have filled the Slate with her tears.

How are you here? Lenore asked. I sent you away. I told the guards not to let you in.

None of that matters, Orianne said. I heard what happened to you, and a few guards werent going to keep me out.

But how? Lenore asked.

Orianne shrugged. Meredith at the House of Sighs called in some favors with those guards who had visited. I hope you dont mind.

Lenore thought about the way shed reacted the time the House of Sighs mistress had been there. She winced at the thought.